Lost in a sea of strollers!

[QueSeraSera24]

I'm expecting my first baby due 2012 and I'm completely confused with all these prams/pushchairs! Definitely need some advice as to where to look for the right pram for me.

I'm looking for something that will suit from birth, hopefully till it's not needed anymore!
Not looking to expand with more children in the near future as this one was very unexpected!
Would like the option of rear facing with newborn, maybe turn round when he/she gets more nosy?
Needs to fit into a modest little Ford Fiesta.
Not looking to go off roading or anything exciting like that, maybe a stroll in the park!
Was thinking carrycot option because it looks nice and cosy for newborn but i imagine it's a nightmare to get into a car so i'm not set on that.
Would like it to have a car seat option for sleeping baby (i figure it would be easier to just take baby out the car without waking)
I'm not bothered about it being the latest design, I'm thinking the old faithfuls are sometimes better than the new ones with unknown defects.

Was looking Bugaboo Bee but then got put off by all this talk of dodgy wheels. It seems that no one is completely happy with any one design.... help!

Thanks in advance!
(first post....woo!)

[DawnOfTheDeementedDead]

What about something along the lines of the First Wheels City Elite?

Seems to tick most of your boxes.

Have a look at this one on ebay here to give you an idea.

[QueSeraSera24]

Looks good!
Has anyone found having a carrycot completely impractical with a smallish car? Although I guess if i was taking the car i could just use the car seat function. hmmmm.... i don't drive everywhere....

[aswellasyou]

There are loads you could choose from! Is your Fiesta a new or old design? I think the old ones would need a particularly short fold. Do you have a budget? Do you think a two piece fold would iritate you? Do you want to buy new or second hand? If new, when is your baby due? There are new ones out next year.

[DawnOfTheDeementedDead]

I had one of the first wheels, but in a double, and had a carrycot too, as well as a small car. I found the carrycot bit really useful - DS3 was a January baby and it was good knowing he was nicely snuggled up and cosy in the carrycot. The car seat was fine, but much preferred the carrycot to lay him flat in, especially if i was going to be out for a while.

[Tiggywunkle]

A lot of carrycots squash flat eg Bugaboo Chameleon, some iCandy etc. I only really used the carrycot when walking from my front door or one a rare all day outing eg shopping, wedding etc. A carrycot is always easy to throw onto / stand a back seat - it's only for six months anyway! The car seat was fine for nipping to the shops etc. (not long periods of time). My favourites have been the Bugaboo Chameleon (flatter than the Bee in a car - the Bee wouldn't fit in mine but the Cham would; the iCandy Peach (but look at the Strawberry too), and the Baby Jogger City Mini is a fab all round pushchair and takes some beating.

[QueSeraSera24]

Ha ha, knew i hadn't covered everything!

It's an old fiesta x reg zetec so it's not too small. It's got 5 doors, i just don't want to have to take out the parcel shelf to get the pram in.
I'm not too fussed on the one or two piece fold cos i think i'd get used to either way.
I'd prefer a second hand one cos my budget would tops be about £300 and i think i could get a lot better pram for my money on ebay or something like that.

[QueSeraSera24]

I'm liking the look of the baby jogger! I'm guessing you need the cocoon or the carrycot for a newborn? Think i might forget the idea of the carrycot with it not lasting that long and being a bit bulky.
Has anyone got the baby jogger city mini? Is it easy to change it for car seat? The videos on their website don't even show the options for newborn or the car seat.

[aswellasyou]

I agree about buying second hand to get more for your money.

Ones I think you should look at:
Bugaboo Cameleon
iCandy Peach
Babystyle Oyster
Graco Symbio
Silver Cross Surf
Baby Jogger City Select
Stokke Xplory (I'm not sure about the fold of this)
Joolz Day (also known as Mmas and Papas Joolz)
Mamas and Papas Sola
Mamas and Papas Urbo
Concord Neo
My Child Pinto (same as one sold by John Lewis)
My Child Versa (same as another one sold by John Lewis)

Ones to avoid are:
Pretty much anything from Mothercare, especially the Spin
Mamas and Papas Pliko
Maxi-Cosi/Bebe Confort Loola
Maxi-Cosi/Bebe Confort Streety
Silver Cross 3D
Silver Cross Linear Freeway
Silver Cross Linear Sleepover

[aswellasyou]

You can use the BJCM for a newborn as it is becuse it lies flat. I wouldn't want to have my baby forward facing straight away. I bought a forward facing pushchair when my daughter was 4 months old but I missed looking at her, so I got a rear facing one at 7 months. I appreciate it even more now that she's 12 months and interacting a lot more. There are plenty of people who are happy to have a forward facing pushchair though.

[Tiggywunkle]

It's very easy to plug the car seat adaptors in at either side. There's a photo of the adaptors on here and if you look behind the reviews and information green tab there are photos of the two possible carrycots and also the car seat in situ. However I would recommend if you plan to use the car seat then buy the four wheeled version as the three wheeled version can be tippy with a car seat on top. But depending on when you are due there is a new version called the GT coming out which will be much much improved so in your shoes, I would be keeping your ear to the ground to see when it will come out. It's basically the same but improved eg adjustable handlebar, small forever air tyres, handbrake, bigger seat etc. Just to add I used a Bugaboo Cocoon on my City Mini for a small baby and it was fab. Other people I know have used the Graco and Petit Zia soft cots which are cheap and would squash into your boot. The Baby Jogger City Mini is probably the best all round pushchair on the market TBH.

[pramsgalore]

i had a stokke, not a compact fold though, but lovely having baby up high, no suspension though so a city pushchair, but lovely or push the boat out and get a mima xari [the love of my life ]

[QueSeraSera24]

Loving the idea of putting the Bugaboo cocoon on the City Mini, I would never have thought of that! Thanks Tiggywunkle!

Think i'm definitely going to stick with looking for a Baby Jogger now, thanks a ot for your help ladies! I was so confused, life savers!